Audio-Technica's new flagship reference-level AT-ART1000X moving coil cartridge is said to be its "most advanced cartridge to date", and that's coming from a brand with 60+ years of experience in making turntables and their related components.
The Japanese-made AT-ART1000X leverages the lessons learned in creating its predecessor, the AT-ART1000. This next-gen MC cart also benefits from eight years of development, which, according to Audio-Technica, takes its "pursuit of sonic excellence to new heights, with a more refined direct power system for improved efficiency and enhanced bass reproduction."
The AT-ART1000X refines the previous flagship's use of a direct power system where the dual coils are placed directly above the stylus tip. We're told that this design harvests even the most subtle details. A further development is the rectangular, rather than round, coils, which apparently results in more of their surface area being positioned within the magnetic field. The upshot of this, says Audio-Technica, is a more efficient and improved output voltage and greater low-frequency range for "rich, powerful, and supremely accurate bass".
Each non-magnetic coil core is constructed of PCOCC (Pure Copper by Ohno Continuous Casting) 20µm diameter wire, which is hand-wound "exactly eight times" by skilled experts in Japan to create the newly developed rectangular shape.
The coils are contained in a 25 μm (0.98 mil) film and fitted in the tiny 0.5mm of the magnetic circuit. Each resulting coil can generate an output voltage of 0.22 mV with a coil impedance of 3.5 Ω despite having a non-magnetic core.
The AT-ART1000X is fitted with a solid boron cantilever with a titanium base in a rigid aluminium housing. Audio-Technica says this delivers "an exceptionally precise" reading of the record groove while the cartridge's housing disperses resonance that would negatively affect sound quality.
The Audio-Technica AT-ART1000X is available to order now, priced at £4,700/ €5,500 RRP.
Visit Audio-Technica for more information
Posted in: Hi-Fi
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